Pandemonium erupted on Sunday in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, after a 23-year-old man allegedly killed his father by slitting his throat with a machete.
The incident reportedly occurred around O3 Palace, Usaja, in Ikpakapit Ward of the community.
The suspect, identified as Bassey Ubi, was said to have attacked his father shortly after the deceased returned from church.
According to findings, the machete attack resulted in a deep cut to the victim’s neck, leading to his immediate death.
Residents of the area reportedly attempted to lynch the suspect before police officers arrived at the scene and rescued him from the mob.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said preliminary information indicated that the suspect may have acted under the influence of illicit substances.
“The unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of today. The suspect, Bassey Ubi, aged 23, is believed to be an alleged drug addict.
From available information, it is likely that the influence of drugs made him act in that manner,” Eitokpah said.
He explained that the victim had just returned from church when he was attacked inside his home.
“It was a deep machete cut on the neck inflicted by the son on his father,” he added.
The police spokesman disclosed that the suspect sustained injuries from the mob before police intervention.
“If not for the timely intervention of the police, the suspect would have been killed. He was taken for medical attention and thereafter detained in our facility for further investigation,” Eitokpah said.
He also confirmed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue in Ugep by family members before police officers arrived at the scene.
The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua, condemned acts of jungle justice and urged members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies.
The police warned that jungle justice remains a criminal offence and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
